What is physical abuse?

Physical abuse is the most visible form of domestic abuse. It includes such behaviour as slapping, burning, beating, kicking, biting, stabbing and can lead to permanant injuries and sometimes death.

The perpetrator's aim is to intimidate and cause fear. If someone in your family or an intimate partner is acting in this way, regardless of scale, this is physical abuse. Assaults often start small, maybe a small shove during an argument, or forcefully grabbing your wrist, but over time usually become more frequent and more severe. It may be preceded by other abusive behaviours, such as verbal or emotional abuse.

Two women per week on average are killed by a partner or former partner. In addition, 20 to 30 men are murdered each year. This is not acceptable and we are striving to change these statistics.

Perpetrators of physical abuse may be extremely remorseful after the attacks; they may be tearful and apologetic. Alternatively they may insist that the victim started or caused the violence. They may argue that they had not intended to be physically abusive but that they ‘lost it’. They may blame it on drink or drugs. These conflicting justifications often leave the victim extremely confused and aim to enable the perpetrator to maintain control over the victim. Whatever happens, it is NEVER the fault of the victim, and the excuses will NEVER excuse violent behaviour in the home.

If you think you are experiencing physical abuse please seek help - GET HELP NOW.